A 42-year-old Centralia man has been charged in Marion County Court with threatening a public official and attempted aggravated battery after reportedly threatening to knock out his public defender.
Robert Williams of South Perrine faces the charges after allegedly attempting to strike Public Defender Craig Griffin after a jury delivered a guilty verdict to him in a possession of methamphetamine case. Williams was sentenced to three years in prison on that conviction last Friday.
In the new charges, Williams is accused of telling Griffin he was going to knock him out and allegedly taking a substantial step towards the threat by balling up his fist and pulling his arm back in a motion as if he was going to strike the public defender.
Others in the courtroom reportedly acted quickly to keep Williams from carrying out his threat.
Judge Michael McHaney set bond at $250,000 for Williams when he appeared via Zoom from the Jefferson County Jail, where he is now being held. A different public defender was appointed to represent Williams. A preliminary hearing was set for October 9th.
If found guilty of the new charges, Williams faces an extended sentenced to a prior felony conviction.
